Topic Contents

Covers symptoms of seizures caused by epilepsy, other health problems, or medicine. Explains why seizures, or convulsions, occur. Covers home treatment. Includes interactive tool the help you decide when to see a doctor.

Seizures

Topic Overview

The brain
controls how the body moves by sending out small electrical signals through the
nerves to the muscles. Seizures, or convulsions, occur when abnormal signals
from the brain change the way the body functions.

Seizures are
different from person to person. Some people have only slight shaking of a hand
and do not lose
consciousness. Other people may become
unconscious and have violent shaking of the entire
body.

Shaking of the body, either mild or violent, does not always
occur with seizures. Some people who have seizures have symptoms before the seizure (auras) or briefly lose touch with
their surroundings and appear to stare into space. Although the person is
awake, he or she does not respond normally. Afterwards, the person does not
remember the episode.

Not all body shaking is caused by seizures.
Many medical conditions can cause a type of body shaking that usually affects
the hands and head (tremors).

A small number of
people will have only one seizure during their lifetime. A single seizure
usually lasts less than 3 minutes and is not followed by a second seizure. Any
normally healthy person can have a single seizure under certain conditions. For
instance, a sharp blow to the head may cause a seizure. Having one seizure does
not always mean that a serious health problem exists. But if you have a
first-time seizure, you should be checked by your doctor. It is important to
rule out a serious illness that may have caused the seizure. Fever seizures
(febrile convulsions) are the most common cause of a single seizure, especially
in children. For more information, see the topic
Fever Seizures.

Causes of seizures

Epilepsy is a
nervous system problem that causes seizures. It can develop at any age. For more information, see the topic
Epilepsy.

Eclampsia is pregnancy-related seizure activity that
is usually caused by high blood pressure. It is a life-threatening condition
for both a mother and her baby (fetus) because during a seizure, the fetus's
oxygen supply is drastically reduced. Eclampsia is more likely to occur after
the 20th week of pregnancy. For more information, see the topic
Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy.

Nonepileptic seizure (NES) is a condition that can cause seizure-like activity. NES is
characterized by a loss of or change in physical function without a
central nervous system problem. The loss or change
causes periods of physical activity or inactivity that resemble epileptic
seizures. NES can be related to a mental health problem. The physical
symptoms may be caused by emotional conflicts or stress. The symptoms usually
appear suddenly and at times of extreme emotional stress.

Do you have a severe headache that started suddenly and is the worst headache of your life?

This probably would not be like any headache you have had before.

Yes

Sudden, severe headache

No

Sudden, severe headache

Did the seizure occur after you swallowed something poisonous, drank a lot of alcohol, or used illegal drugs?

Yes

Possible poisoning or overdose

No

Possible poisoning or overdose

Are you pregnant?

Yes, you know that you're pregnant.

Pregnancy

No, you're not pregnant, or you're not sure if you're pregnant.

Pregnancy

Are you more than 20 weeks pregnant?

Yes

More than 20 weeks pregnant

No

More than 20 weeks pregnant

Do you have diabetes?

Yes

Diabetes

No

Diabetes

Do you think the seizure might have been caused by a problem with your blood sugar?

Seizures can sometimes occur if blood sugar gets too high or too low.

Yes

Diabetes may be causing seizure

No

Diabetes may be causing seizure

Do you have epilepsy or a history of seizures?

Yes

Epilepsy or history of seizures

No

Epilepsy or history of seizures

Was this a typical seizure for you?

Yes

Typical seizure

No

Typical seizure

Do you feel like you are returning to normal the way you usually do after a seizure?

You probably know what is typical for you right after a seizure ends. Think about whether this time seems different.

Yes

Typical return to normal after seizure

No

Typical return to normal after seizure

Have you been having seizures more often than usual or having different seizures than what you are used to?

Yes

Increase in number or change in type of seizures

No

Increase in number or change in type of seizures

Have you returned to normal, other than maybe feeling tired or a little sore?

Yes

Returned to normal after seizure

No

Returned to normal after seizure

Did the seizure occur within the past 2 hours?

Yes

Seizure occurred within past 2 hours

No

Seizure occurred more than 2 hours ago

Have you returned to normal, other than maybe feeling tired or a little sore?

Yes

Returned to normal after seizure

No

Returned to normal after seizure

Did the seizure occur less than 24 hours ago?

Yes

Seizure occurred less than 24 hours ago

No

Seizure occurred less than 24 hours ago

Did the seizure occur after a head injury?

Yes

Seizure occurred after head injury

No

Seizure occurred after head injury

Are you having any strange symptoms that you think could be a seizure?

These could include things like jerking, twitching, or repeated movements that you can't explain, or short periods (2 to 30 seconds) when you are not aware and cannot respond or when you feel less alert or awake for no reason.

Yes

Possible seizure symptoms

No

Possible seizure symptoms

Did these symptoms occur less than 24 hours ago?

Yes

Possible seizure symptoms less than 24 hours ago

No

Possible seizure symptoms less than 24 hours ago

Do you have any other concerns about seizures?

Yes

Other seizure concerns

No

Other seizure concerns

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be
able to take care of this problem at home.

Try home treatment to relieve the
symptoms.

Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any
concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect).
You may need care sooner.

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind
of care you may need. These include:

Your age. Babies and older
adults tend to get sicker quicker.

Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart
disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care
sooner.

Medicines you take. Certain
medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements can cause symptoms or make them
worse.

Recent health events, such as surgery
or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them
more serious.

Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug
use, sexual history, and travel.

Home Treatment

If you witness a
seizure, your account of the seizure will help a
doctor diagnose and treat the person. Try to stay calm. Pay close attention to
what happens during and after the seizure.

During a seizure:

Protect the person from injury.

Keep him or her from falling if you can,
or try to guide the person gently to the floor.

Try to move
furniture or other objects that might injure the person during the
seizure.

If the person is having a seizure and is on the ground
when you arrive, put something soft under his or her head.

Do not force anything, including your fingers,
into the person's mouth. Putting something in the person's mouth may cause
injuries to him or her, such as chipped teeth or a fractured jaw. You could
also get bitten.

Turn the person onto his or her side, with the
mouth down, unless the person resists being moved.

Do not try to
hold down or move the person.

Try to stay calm.

If the
person vomits, turn the person onto his or her side.

Pay close
attention to what the person is doing so that you can describe the seizure to
rescue personnel or doctors.

What kind of body movement
occurred?

How long did the seizure last?

How did the
person act immediately after the seizure?

Are there any injuries
from the seizure?

Time the length of the seizure, if
possible.

After a seizure:

Check the person for injuries.

If
you could not turn the person onto his or her side during the seizure, do so
when the seizure ends and the person is more relaxed.

If the person
is having trouble breathing, use your finger to gently clear his or her mouth
of any vomit or saliva.

Loosen tight clothing around the person's
neck and waist.

Provide a safe area where the person can
rest.

Do not give anything to eat or drink until the person is
fully awake and alert.

Stay with the person until he or she is
awake and familiar with the surroundings. Most people will be sleepy or
confused after a seizure.

A person who has had a seizure should not drive, swim, climb
ladders, or operate machinery until he or she has seen a doctor about the
seizure and the doctor has said that the person is allowed to drive or operate
machinery.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

The
pattern of your seizures changes and you have a history of
epilepsy.

Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention

Note: If you think
you may have a seizure disorder or are being evaluated for one, do not drive, operate heavy machinery, swim, climb ladders, or
participate in other potentially dangerous activities until you have been
specifically cleared to do these things by your doctor.

Many causes
of
seizures, such as some forms of
epilepsy, cannot be prevented. But head injury is
a common cause of seizures and epilepsy that you may be able to prevent. To
prevent a head injury:

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, swim, climb ladders, or
participate in other potentially dangerous activities until you have been
specifically cleared to do these things by your doctor.

Avoid
activities that might trigger a seizure, such as playing video games that have
flashing or flickering lights. In rare cases, the flashing lights and geometric
patterns of video games can trigger seizures in children.

Have you recently taken, stopped taking, or changed the
dose of any medicines, including nonprescription medicines or
illegal drugs?

Have you suddenly reduced
or stopped drinking alcohol?

Have you recently traveled to a rural
area or an undeveloped country?

Do you have any
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms?

If possible, ask the person who witnessed your seizure to come
to your doctor's appointment with you. Be sure to ask your doctor what you can
do to prevent another seizure and what to do if you have another
seizure.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.